Way too often, sadness, loneliness and fear are the order of the day for the elderly. But it doesn't have to be that way; anyone, at any age, can enter by the narrow gate to full confidence that the best is yet to come forevermore.

"In honor of our trip to Wausau with my mother’s ashes, Jenny had given me a CD by a Christian singer named Crystal Lewis. Jen pointed especially to the title song, “Beauty for Ashes,” which reassures the child of God that He will heal all sorrows:

He gives beauty for ashes Strength for fear Gladness for mourning Peace for despair

"It took me a while to make the connection, but I finally realized that this chorus was based on Isaiah 61:3 -- part of that hope-tinged passage that someone had read at my mother’s funeral.

"I listened to this song again and again. It was true: He was giving me beauty and strength, gladness and peace.

"But it’s only the beginning of what promises to be the happiest ending of all."​